Book Review: The Amen Sisters by Angela Benson

A powerful, gripping story of betrayal and forgiveness, The Amen Sisters by Angela Benson is truly unforgettable.

Five years ago, Francine Amen renounced her family and friends to follow Bishop Payne's ministry. That decision would leave her questioning her faith and would cost Francine her best friend, Toni. After three years in a mental institution to help Francine deal with her guilt over Toni's suicide, her sister, Dawn brings her back home to the place where it all began, to help her rebuild her life and make amends.

As Francine deals with the repercussions of being led astray by a false man of God, Dawn is dealing with her own form of betrayal. Dawn's husband, Sylvester--Francine's ex-fiance--had an extramarital affair. Already insecure that Sylvester really loved her, Dawn struggles to forgive his transgression and work towards healing their marriage.

Can the Amen sisters get past the betrayals and grasp the power of forgiveness to move on with their lives? Will Francine ever be accepted by the family and friends she turned away from? Can Dawn ever forget that Sylvester found love in the arms of another woman? And will Dawn and Francine allow God to help show them the way?

I had never read one of Angela Benson's novels before The Amen Sisters. Now, I want to own all of them. No wonder she has been called, "One of the most talented writers of fiction."

This story drew me in right away with its well-developed characters and its all too realistic storyline. Benson is a master storyteller who creates two women you sympathize with and whose strength you admire.

A tale of unforgettable characters, love, forgiveness, and faith, The Amen Sisters is an inspiring story of hope that all readers will enjoy.


Title: The Amen Sisters
Author: Angela Benson
Publisher: Walk Worthy Press
ISBN: 0-446-53153-7
SRP: $13.99

Book Review: Sermonsnacks: Help...Hope...and Encouragement for today...by Donald Collette

If you're looking for help; if you're looking for hope; if you're looking for encouragement; look no further than Sermonsnacks. This powerful devotional will inspire you along life's journey and make the ordinary seem extraordinary.

Donald Collette chose the best Scriptures and perfectly matched them with thought-provoking comments to put together a devotional that is powerful, yet easy to read. Using Scriptures from both The Message and the New International Version, Sermonsnacks offers help, hope, and encouragement for every facet of your life: to build your faith, for the times when you are in pain or suffering, for the times when you're lonely, and for help with work and your finances. When you seek help, hope, and encouragement in your family life, in your marriage, and in your senior years, Sermonsnacks will be there with words of Biblical wisdom and insightful, inspirational commentary.

I will keep Sermonsnacks by my bedside and read it every day as part of my morning and evening prayer ritual.

For more information about Sermonsnacks go to http://www.sermonsnacks.com/


Title: Sermonsnacks: Help...Hope...and Encouragement for today...
Author: Donald Collette
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-4251-4539-2
SRP: $15.99

Book Review: Choices: My Secrets by Thomas Wade Bounds

Don't you wish there was an easier way to start parent/teen discussions with your child? Now there is!

Thomas Wade Bounds' new series for teens, Choices, gives parents a way to jumpstart conversations about the important choices facing our young people today. In the first book, My Secrets, released by Xulon Press, young Rachel gets pregnant after one night of passion shared with her boyfriend Gary. She doesn't find out until after Gary leaves for college and he never returns any of her messages. Left alone to decide what she will do, Rachel believes abortion is the only way. As a frightened Rachel waits for the doctor to come in and perform the procedure, she passes out and has dreams of her unborn child, which make her realize she might have another choice.

My Secrets delivers a powerful message, but it is a bit heavy handed for my liking. The book would be better with the help of an editor, but it was still a quick and easy read--which can be important when trying to spur those parent/teen discussions. It will be interesting to see how this series of books develops and what topics will be discussed next.

Title: Choices: My Secrets
Author: Thomas Wade Bounds
Publisher: Xulon Press
ISBN: 978-1-60477-369-9
U.S. Price: $9.99